Top 5 Things Venom Did Right

Sure, it’s no “Black Panther” or “Avengers: Infinity War,” but we’ll gladly take it over that Topher Grace movie For this list, we’re taking a look at the first entry in Sony’s Marvel Universe, which was mostly panned by critics and generally well-liked by mainstream audiences. Join WatchMojo as we count down our picks for the Top 5 Things Venom Did Right.

Top 5 Things Venom Did Right

Sure, it’s no “Black Panther” or “Avengers: Infinity War,” but we’ll gladly take it over that Topher Grace movie. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 5 Things Venom Did Right.

For this list, we’re taking a look at the first entry in Sony’s Marvel Universe, which was mostly panned by critics and generally well-liked by mainstream audiences. Although it’s hard to say how its consensus may evolve over time, we’re focusing on the film’s strengths here.

#5: The Slick Character Design & CGI

Many comic readers were worried based on the film’s first teaser trailer, which revealed the alien symbiote, but glanced over the titular anti-hero. Fortunately, Venom got plenty of face time in the finished film with a design that was cool, creepy, and faithful to his counterpart on the printed page. Venom’s shapeshifting powers, in particular, make leeway for a lot of creative imagery. This not only applies to the action sequences, like that inventive car chase, but also the more character-driven moments, such as Venom’s introduction to Eddie. Venom coils around Eddie like a snake and practically slithers into his head, amounting to a visual that would feel right at home in a comic book.

#4: Michelle Williams as Anne Weying

Sony’s portrayals of female Marvel characters have been hit-and-miss. Mary Jane Watson frequently acted as the damsel in distress while Gwen Stacy was more active. Anne Weying was given a lot more to do, as she actually helps Eddie and emerges as a strong heroine. Even when the dialog gets a little hokey, Michelle Williams delivers every line with conviction, which is exactly why she’s one of the finest actresses working today. We also get to see her become She-Venom, resulting in what might be the best superhero kiss since the original “Spider-Man.” Granted, we wish there was more of She-Venom in the movie, but we’d definitely be down for a Bride of Venom spinoff.

#3: The Dynamic Between Eddie & Venom

While Eddie’s relationship with Anne is well-handled, he arguably has more chemistry with Venom. Their dynamic plays out less like a Jekyll and Hyde scenario and more like something out of a screwball buddy comedy. As a matter of fact, Tom Hardy compared their duality to Ren and Stimpy. In creating Venom’s voice, Hardy envisioned Venom as “a James Brown lounge lizard” acting opposite Eddie’s “everyday kind of guy” persona. The result might not be the most complex depiction of either character, but the movie’s personality largely stems from their humorous banter with Eddie trying to teach Venom how to control himself and Venom trying to teach Eddie how to take control of his life.

#2: It Stuck to the Source Material

Since Spider-Man doesn’t play a role in this film, Sony naturally had to take a few liberties. Even with these restrictions, however, producer Matt Tolmach knew that the movie had to, quote, “stay close to the bible.” The filmmakers more or less remain true to our main character’s origin story, as Eddie Brock doesn’t start off as the nicest guy, allowing Venom to tap into his dark side. The film also borrows from various other comic story arcs, particularly the Lethal Protector arc, which sees Venom taking on Carlton Drake and the Life Foundation. While the character development can feel rushed and the motivations don’t always add up, the filmmakers ultimately exemplified a better understanding of the source material than some other incarnations.

#1: It Let Tom Hardy Go Nuts

Even if you went into the movie with doubts, one thing everybody seemed to agree on was that Tom Hardy had the charisma, physique, and boldness required to pull this role off. Hardy’s performance not only brought a fair deal of humor to the equation but also incorporated a wild card factor. While the interactions between Eddie and Venom are fun, the highlight of the film is simply watching Hardy go off his rockers as he eats stale chicken and goes swimming in a lobster tank. Actually, Hardy improvised the scene with live lobsters! Whether you find these moments legitimately hilarious or just plain awkward, Hardy is always a blast to watch when unleashed.